The outpouring of concern for Michael
Schumacher’s wellbeing over the past 36 hours, not only from the world
of Formula
One but from the wider sporting, and indeed non-sporting, community
has been wonderful to see. In my opinion it constitutes long-overdue
recognition of Michael’s status as a true sporting great. I only hope and
pray that he pulls through to see what nice things people have been saying
about him.
The truth is I do not believe that Michael has ever truly received the praise
or recognition that his stunning achievements merited. And I say that now
with the benefit of hindsight.
For years Michael was the perfect pantomime villain, particularly in this
country; German, of course, ruthlessly efficient, ultra-aggressive. Whereas
previous greats such as Sir Jackie Stewart or Juan Manuel Fangio left the
door open to their rivals when racing, for fear of making what could easily
have been fatal contact, Michael went all out in his pursuit of victory.
Sometimes he overstepped the mark – Jerez in 1997 and Rascasse in 2006 spring
to mind – and those indiscretions made him unpalatable to the sporting
purist. He was marked down by some, including me, as a tainted champion. But
you cannot argue with his achievements.
